Planet Asia

music - other reviews

February 10, 2006|By Aine Ardron-Doley, The Philadelphia Inquirer

After listening to The Sickness Part One, Planet Asia fans may be left wondering whether his 10th release in nine years is a solo album or a compilation. Known for cunning lyricism set to true school beats, "Act Like You Know" and "Gangsta Gangsta" showcase the verbal toughness Asia is respected for. On "I'm So High Freestyle," a gritty Asia expounds on the many varieties of marijuana over an almost two-step igniting bass line. "Rock That" and "Potency," the other two solo tracks, find the Grammy-nominated artist delivering forgettable bars.

Although collaboration in hip-hop is an integral part of the genre and culture, The Sickness suffers when Asia shares the microphone with lukewarm guests on nine of 14 cuts.